This Southolder Struck the "write" chord with everyone.

By Danny McCarthy

The homestead of where David Philander Horton was born was of his ancestors and was a part of the homestead of Barnabas Horton who settled in Southold in about 1640. Barnabas Horton was a native of Mouseley in Leicestershire, England. He was born in 1600. He died in Southold on July 13, 1680. Barnabas Horton was one of the outstanding first settlers of Southold as well as an overseer of the town and was a baker by trade. He also was the chief of staff and right hand man of Pastor John Youngs who served the community in a variety of capacities and public offices.

A man of property is evidenced by Barnabas Horton's holdings that fill three entire pages of the Southold Town Records, including selling his interest in Plum Island on May 12, 1666. He was one of seven men appointed to make certain that Aquebogue meadows and other Southold town lands pay their just share of the town’s assessments. He was constable and deputy in the New Haven Court, among other positions. One of his first sons, Caleb, was the first child born in the Settlement. Barnabas Horton’s epitaph reads on his tombstone at the Southold First Presbyterian Church Cemetery: “Here sleeps my body tombed in the dust, Till Christ shall come and raise it with the just.”

He Was Musically Inclined … And Then Some!

David Philander Horton set golden texts set to music as sheet music. Just two of his compositions included: Ad Te Domine -&- Kriss Kringle with his Christmas Tree. David Philander Horton wrote new editions of naval songs plus a Fourth of July selection. The Harvest Home and Summer-Tide Festivals and the unveiling of the Founders Monument were other important Southold events that David Philander Horton loved to participate in.

The Reverend Epher Whitaker joined Mr. Horton in composing The Pilgrims’ Planting, Thanksgiving, and Onward We March To Victory. The friends wrote Words and Welcome for the Southold 250th Celebration for the 1890 event.

The Long Island Rail Road was yet another subject of ongoing writings by David Philander Horton. Among some more articles regarded the great ancestry of Southold. He composed an item on the ancestry of the Reverend Dr. Theodore Ledyard Cuyler as well.

Mr. Horton also composed an article on Richard Brown Conkling, owner of the trotter Rarus. David Philander Horton is given credit for writing the article on the back of the 20th century handwritten bank letter in 1895 carrying that Rarus article.

Here's my take on Rarus:

https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/something-rare-can-dan-mccarthy/

Southold in Ye Olden Times

David Philander Horton married Miss Caroline Rushmore of Hempstead. Caroline Rushmore was born March 16, 1828. He and his “Guiding Star” bought a delightful home in Brooklyn. His writings began to become ongoing. Writings by pen of his composition were in publications and books. Just his own music only was published in some books.

Something to Grow On

David Philander Horton had a longing for his early home and so he removed from Brooklyn back to the homestead of the founder of the Horton family in Southold.

Even though he moved away from Brooklyn after having purchased the original homestead of his ancestor, “he did not withdraw at once from his work in Brooklyn but bought additional acres and manifested his knowledge and zeal to the skillful cultivation of the soil.”

It was no April Fool’s joke for townsfolk when David Philander Horton passed away on April 1, 1902. Mr. Horton’s wife’s form was buried just two months prior of that month and placed “by the side of his kindred.” Mr. Horton’s death was no doubt felt to be taken soon afterwards.

The East Hampton Star dated April 4, 1902 listed the obituary of David Philander Horton.

“... At Southold, Prof. Horton has always been the leader in all village improvements. It was due to his efforts alone that Southold had its annual harvest festival for many years. He was also a prime mover in the celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the settlement of Southold, which was held in 1890.”

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14747304/david-philander-horton